Abstract

Background: peripheral neuropathy is damage to or disease affecting nerves which may impair sensation, movement, gland or organs function or other aspects of health depending on the type of nerve affected. Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of liver cirrhosis either due to viral (mostly HCV), NASH, Alcoholic or mixed. Objectives: the aim of this study was to define the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in a sample of Egyptian patients with liver cirrhosis and to determine any etiologic correlation. Patients and Methods: this descriptive study was conducted on 47 Egyptian liver cirrhotic patients. Patients were subjected to history taking, detailed neurological examination and clinical and neurophysiological assessment. Results: viral hepatitis was the commonest cause of liver cirrhosis 59.6% while non viral causes 25.5% e.g. NASH, the main duration of liver cirrhosis was 10 + 3.98 yrs ranging from 3-23 yrs. The majority of patients were asymptomatic, 48.9%, while the most presenting symptoms were sensory symptoms 25.5%, the prevalence of PN among a sample of Egyptian patients with liver cirrhosis according to neurophysiological assessment was 72.3% mostly of mixed sensory and motor polyneuropathic pattern, not related to the cause of liver cirrhosis but affected by the duration and severity of liver cirrhosis determined by Child Pugh classification. Conclusion: peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of liver cirrhosis related mainly to the duration and severity of liver cirrhosis, but not affected by the causes of liver cirrhosis.

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